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Riverton senior Ashtyn Leisy is going to state track in four different events Thursday through Saturday in Casper. Leisy has qualified for the long jump, 100 meters, 200 meters and the 4x100-meter relay. Photo by Randy Tucker

Sixteen Riverton Wolverines set for state 4-A track in Casper

May 21, 2014 - By Bruce Tippets, Sports Editor

The Riverton Wolverines doubled their number of Class 4-A state track qualifiers from a year ago.The Wolverines have 16 going to state this weekend in Casper. Riverton had just eight qualifiers attend the meet in 2013.

The first event this year for the three-day, all -class meet is the 3,200-meter run, with the finals at noon on Thursday.

The 4x400-meter relay is the final event Saturday afternoon.

"The 16 state qualifiers are more than we have had in a very long time," RHS co-head coach Jorah Griffith said.

Freshmen

RHS is sending four freshmen to state after strong showings last weekend at regionals.

On the girls side, Kylie Yorgason is going in the pole vault and as a member of the 4x100-meter relay team.

Nancy Webb has a spot on the same relay team.

"I expect our freshmen to go to this meet and compete," Griffith said. "The reason they have done so well is they haven't let their age predetermine a limit but have pushed themselves to improve each week."

Alec Richardson is participating in the triple jump and in the 4x100-meter relay for the RHS boys.

"The freshman class this year had some great athletes," RHS co-head coach Tawn Gopp said. "Alec is a heck of an athlete."

Kylan Shultz has landed a spot in the triple jump.

"Kylan has grown a little bit over the year," Gopp said. "The more he works on his form, he has a really good future."

Girls

Ashtyn Leisy is the leader for RHS with a team-high four qualifying events.

She'll do the long jump, 100 meters, 200 meters and 4x100-meter relay.

"Ashtyn should do really well at state," Griffith said. "She has been there before and knows what to expect."

The 4-A West athletes this year have better regular season marks in the long jump than the East.

"She has already seen her toughest competition in the long jump in the West region," Griffith said.

Jensyn Pettit missed the Class 4-A West regional meet last week with an injury. She already had earned a slot in the 300-meter hurdles.

"If Jensyn can safely compete, she will run the 300-meter hurdles," Griffith said. "Not having her able to compete for us at regionals really hurt our scoring potential, but at the same time it opened up the door for other kids to step up and fill the void."

The other state qualifiers for the RHS girls are Kaylee Lewis in the 300-meter hurdles and Jordan Settlemire in the pole vault.

Boys

After falling down in a driving rain storm in the 100 meters preliminaries, Riverton's Sean Watts is preparing to bounce back at state.

"Sean is fine," RHS-coach head Tawn Gopp said. "He just had a little bit of road rash. He didn't have any pulled muscles but a little bit of a hurt ego. I think that he is out for redemption at the state. He is pretty pumped and ready to go."

Watts, had pre-qualified for state and will be battling for the gold in the 100 meters and 200 meters.

"Sean has to get out of the blocks," Gopp said. "The level of competition will step up. He has to stay on it all the way through the finish line."

Shepp Campbell won the triple jump at regionals, going 44-2.50.

Campbell has a spot in the long jump and high jump.

"His triple is pretty awesome," Gopp said. "He is looking really healthy right now. It should be a good meet for us."

Teammate Brandon Fullerton cleared 6-1 in the high jump to advance to state.

"Brandon had a good high jump and long jump," Gopp said. "He has really come around in the field events. He has jumped higher in the past in the high jump, and he is ready to do that at state."

Taylor DeVries clinched a position in pole vault (11-6).

"We are hoping that Taylor can move up in the rankings," Gopp said. "He will have to improve on his personal record."

Bo Patterson, Joe Lupher and Riley Reichert are going for the Wolverines in discus.

"Bo was the pleasant surprise getting in there," Gopp said. "All of them are capable of scoring points for us."